"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." Deuteronomy 30:6

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18

Monday, November 30, 2009

Janie Beth's Journal

Here are pictures of the journal we bought and the engraving of Janie Beth's name.





Appointment

We went to our first appointment with our regular OB since seeing the specialist. Not much was done at this appointment because he hasn't gotten the paperwork from UAB. He is going to talk to them and to the Neonatal docs at Huntsville Hospital and figure out what would be best for our situation as far as what to expect and delivery. He is setting up an appointment for us with the Neonatal docs so that we will be able to know a little better what to expect. He was very kind and we are thankful for a doctor that cares about us. We will have another ultrasound at 36 wks to check her position. We talked about possibly inducing at 38 wks depending on how things are looking. Joey and I would love to wait until February 1 to have her so we can have Katie Jo's birthday first, but it is all in God's hands. I think our doc is willing to wait if my body isn't dialating much yet or contracting. I have never gone past 38 wks, so we shall see.

Thank you all for the prayers this morning! I know they made the appointment go easier for us and him. After the appointment, we went to Lifeway and bought a journal that we had engraved with Janie Beth Karr for me to write in during this time. It is beautiful! I will have to post a picture of it.

I think the appointment today made it all a little more real. I am in a quiet peaceful state this afternoon. I need to wash some clothes and plan dinner, but I want to just lay around and feel her move and hug my belly. She isn't as active today, but she usually isn't on Mondays. I think Sundays make her sleepy. :)

My next doctor's appointment is December 14 at 9:45. I can't believe we are 30 wks! This pregnancy has flown by.

Love to you all!

Amazed!!!

I have to write this morning because God is so amazing!!! I sit here with tears as I am overwhelmed by the many ways that God is reaching out to us through others. We are so undeserving of His grace, mercy, and compassion. During my quiet time I was filled with thankfulness as I look at the many ways He has provided for us. Then, I cried as I read emails from friends that are praying and reaching out to us. I need to find a special keepsake box for the cards that people are giving to us during this time.

I know there will be days when I am overwhelmed by so many other emotions on this journey, but today I am so thankful for my gracious Father and my wonderful friends who follow His gentle nudges.

Thank you all for the many needed prayers today as we see our regular OB for the first time after seeing the specialist.

I love you all!!!! Especially Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider!!!

I cannot end this post without saying how much I love my Beloved. Today we celebrate 7 years of marriage. We definitely didn't think we would be going through the journey we are on, but I couldn't ask for a better earthly companion through this journey. God has blessed our marriage and our lives in so many ways over the last 7 years. I love Joey Karr more today than I did the day I married him. Thank You, Father, for bringing two unlikely people together in matrimony at Hillwood Baptist Church on November 30, 2002. Once again You amaze me!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

The Journey we are on...

I guess I should start off by introducing myself. I am Michelle, and I am married to Joey. We will celebrate 7 years on November 30. We have 4 children. Josiah will be 6 on December 18; Katie Jo (Kathryn JoAnn) will be 5 on January 30; Eli is 2.5 yrs old; and Janie Beth (Janie Elizabeth) is due February 7, 2010. I was born again in the fall of 1999. God has brought me on an amazing journey over these last 10 years.


Our precious Janie Beth has been diagnosed with a rare fatal form of dwarfism. Her chest cavity is too small to contain lungs that will support breathing. Her ribs and lungs will be too weak. We are placing her in God's hands. We pray for a miracle here on earth, but we know that her miracle may come in Heaven. We are thankful that if she goes to Heaven, we will be re-united with her one day. She has blessed our lives so much already and has answered many prayers. The answers did not come in the way we would have liked, but God ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts.


I would be lying if I said that my heart did not ache during this time. I long to be able to hold my baby girl and bring her home. I have times everyday that I cry. It has been one week ago today that we learned of her diagnosis. It feels like so long ago. I am trying to enjoy every moment that we have with her. I am so thankful for her movements. Her arms are too short for me to feel them too often, but she is breech and I feel her feet quite often. :)


Right now my life is consumed with Janie Beth. I am so thankful to have my other children during this time. Although, it breaks my heart to hear them grieve for Janie Beth. We went and made Janie Beth animals for each of them to hold when they are thinking about her and be able to tell them what they are thinking. Josiah has a polar bear, Katie Jo has a panda bear, and Eli has an elephant. Josiah's polar bear has come to represent Janie Beth's presence when we are doing things because she never leaves his side.


Not only are we dealing with Janie Beth's precious journey, but Joey is without a job right now. He is a pastor and we have now been where we are now for one year while looking for a new church to serve in. God has graciously provided for us and He never ceases to amaze me!!! He is so good to us!!!


I homeschool Josiah for kindergarten, and I am trying to get myself better at having things for Katie Jo and Eli to do. :) It has been a true blessing to be homeschooling during this journey. Thank You, Lord, for laying this on our hearts!


I am creating this blog to be able to write about our journey in a way that our family and friends can see. It will also be to update people on our everyday lives. As you can imagine, we have a 3 ring circus around our house most days.

I have named my blog Leaning on the Everlasting Arms because that is exactly how I am making it through each and every day. His strength is holding me up and God's peace that passes understanding is filling my heart. Thank You, Abba, for carrying me through this journey. I love You!!!

Here are pictures of each of the kids with their Janie Beth's that we made at Build A Bear.